. >> i want to ask you also about the assault weapon ban, your former colleague, dianne feinstein, deeply disappointed that harry reid said there aren't the votes and he's going to strip it out of whatever legislation does get to the floor. because he thinks otherwise he wouldn't be able to pass anything. i know you voted to re-authorize the assault weapons ban back in 2004. so now what? do you think that the emotion and the reaction to newtown, connecticut, has now faded? >> well, i wouldn't think so. i think what's at stake here are people's positions that they've already taken on these issues. and how it affects their states. and so it's, it's less a partisan divide than rather it could be a regional divide or a policy issue of this, of this magnitude. so i think that obviously the senate has the option of considering an amendment. if they allow open amendment process on this issue. so that people can weigh in and express their views. >> senator now that you've left the senate, life after the senate, do you have a different perspective on what has been happening in washington and how g